For you & me, March may still be the beginning of the year. Not so for the fashion industry. They’re way ahead of us. In fact, these leaders of fashion have been busy since early 2008 creating & fine-tuning 2009’s trends. It reminds me a bit of the car industry, how the next year’s models are somehow available before the next year even happens.

At Cuddledown, our merchandisers & designers are in the thick of everything, attending markets & trade shows to make sure that we’ve got our fingers squarely on the fashion pulse. And I know you’re dying to know, so I sat down with Vice President of Merchandising, Norma, to get the skinny on what we’ll be seeing from Cuddledown for the rest of 2009 & into 2010.

TBS: So first, tell me, what are the major trade shows that you go to every year? Is there a specific one you feel most influences how Cuddledown will interpret upcoming trends?

N: Heimtex is one of the biggest & allows us to see all of our major suppliers in one venue. Other shows are the NY Gift Show, Curves (which is for apparel), Accessories the Show, Highpoint (predominantly furniture & other home decor items), & Intertextile Shanghai.

TBS: Which one provides the most important trend information?

N: Heimtex, because it’s so huge & draws an enormous crowd of vendors. Curves & the NY Gift Show are close seconds.

TBS: How do trends work anyway? Who decides what will be the next hot design/color/texture?

N: It used to be that trends hit ready-to-wear first, but now we are seeing them trend together. We review the predicted ready-to-wear trends (at least one year in advance) and adapt forecasted designs and colors to our products. Need example to highlight

TBS: What’s the big picture for the rest of 2009-2010? What should we all be lining up to purchase?

N: The trend theme for 2009, according to the Heimtext Trend Forum is “Expect the Unexpected.” The trend contributors who developed this umbrella theme identified 6 different trend flavors as described in the Heimtex Trend Book:

Time Traveler – “‘ornamental opulence, deco graphics, and laced luxuries set the stage for our reclaimed cultural heritage and ultimate luxury.’ Color story – all the colors in a peacock feather centered around metallic gold.”

Fortune Teller – “‘multi-mismatch and acid folk are combined in a free spirited collage of pattern as an update to the bohemian and ethnic trends of the past.’ Color story – an eclectic mix of red, turquoise, purple, navy, chartreuse, fuchsia, orange, and mauve.”

Alchemist – “‘adapted from sculptural aspects and architectural trends, the alchemist is built around textiles featuring rigorous geometry, armored chic and sensual structures.’ Color story – the shimmer of metals and stone depicted by black, gray, gunmetal, silver. Lurex abounded.”

Witchcraft – “‘a modern rustic and artisan approach to new and/or recycled products. Aspects of nature are recreated in 3D textures, vintage looking skins, and handcrafted fabrics produced from floating yarns and threads.’ Color story – dark mysterious colors of nature such as evergreen, bark, and terracotta with dusty accents of teal, turquoise, mustard, and antique blue.”

Enchanted – “‘a fantasy world of plastic and bright pops of color where all rules are cast aside and bad taste no longer exist. Color story – Primary colors interplayed with white.”

Additionally, recycled, organic, & technical fabrications were still a large part of the new product development & textured fabrics, lurex, & prints were more prevalent than ever.

TBS: How have these trends influenced the way that you & the other Cuddledown merchandisers selected product?

N: We borrowed from many of the themes:

Witchcraft – Birds incorporated into designs were very prevalent. We will be doing an embroidered sheet set for Holiday 2009 along with bird designs in sleepwear for Fall and Holiday 2009. Also for holiday, a mixed media of animal prints for bedding, finished with a faux fur throw for an updated bohemian look. Reversible faux fur vest reversing to black chevron quilting.

Combining Enchanted with the Illusionist – Perle de Jardin Voile coming up in Summer 2009.

Alchemist – Architectural Toile, available now, is a taupe architectural design printed on a shimmering background of silver sage.

Color adaptations from the Enchanted – Cloisonne – bright shades of purple, turquoise, green and fuchsia, accented with gold that is currently avaialble. Florentine Scroll – also currently available – showcases an interplay of bright orange, gold, yellow, and white in a traditional but overscaled paisley design.

Our apparel designer, Heather, chimed in to give us a quick overview of what we’ll be seeing in Cuddledown’s sleepwear selection:

H: You’ll be seeing lots of florals in our sleepwear. Our Amadora line will get an update in Fall 2009, featuring a new small (so-called “ditsy”) floral print, while our offerings from Lily Pulitzer, in Holiday 2009, will showcase big, bold, bright florals. As Norma mentions above, birds are also very big right now & we’ll be offering printed bird sleepwear in both our Fall & Holiday 2009 catalogs.

TBS: Norma, do you have any tricks of the trade regarding trends for our readers?

N: It’s lots of fun to decorate & update the look of your room by playing with color and fashion trends. A suggested tip for those who like to update their décor often is to start with classic pieces in designs and textures that you love. Select a neutral palette for your basic bedding wardrobe such as white 1020 thread count sateen, neutral 600 thread count sateen, or pale pastel 500 thread count percale. With this basic palette, layer on a new print or textured solid as a duvet cover and matching sham. Add a pop of color with contrasting decorative pillows and a coverlet, quilt, or throw. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and textures to create your own personalized nest of comfort. I love mixing the unexpected together to create a sleeping environment all my own.

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I find the whole thing fascinating – how trends are developed & forecasted before we even see them! This year’s trends (or at the very least, the names given to the themes) seem to have an appealing air of mystique about them. I think Fortune Teller & Enchanted sound the most fun. What do you think?

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2009 Mar 30 Comment by Ima B. Snob

I completely agree with your point, Stephen. I think the average person can’t do a complete renovation every year just to keep up with trends. But I think there’s something to be said for introducing new elements into a room. Sometimes it’s the replacement or addition of a (small) new accessory (think dec pillow cover or throw) that can all of a sudden give a room new life. I also like Norma’s point about using neutrals as a base for decorating. This allows you to change out accessories without breaking the bank on core items.

the trend for me is “the same stuff i’ve had for the last few years.” redecorating every year in response to designers and trend-expos is just completely beyond my budget. i, like most people, i think, have to make do the best we can with what we already have.

About Brooke

Brooke has been a bonafide bedding snob since 2002 & has learned the pleasure of sleeping on truly fabulous sheets. In her spare time she bakes copious amounts of yummy, not-so-good-for-you food; reminisces about how she used to have lots of spare time for reading; & does her best to keep her 3-year old, tiny-dictator-of-a-son away from certain danger.

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Are you kidding? I pick standards any day. I have no choice when the comforter size does not match the size of my duvet. Standards would give me more choice, not less. It would give retailers less excess stock in tons of different sizes.

Hi Judy,
You can request a free catalog here: http://www.cuddledown.com/CustomerService.aspx?p=lbFreeCatalog&page=Free+Catalog
If you would like to shop online at Cuddledown.com, each product page has a Size Chart tab and Product Details tab for more information. If you need any help, our customer service department will be happy to assist you (1-800-323-6793). Thanks for your comment!

About Cuddledown

Cuddledown is based in Yarmouth, Maine and offers a wide selection of down and synthetic down pillows, comforters and featherbeds  all made in the USA. Our down bedding is handcrafted with premium fills and fabrics to ensure that only the finest products are produced for our customers. We also offer a broad assortment of luxurious sheets, blankets, slippers, sleepwear, apparel, towels, and home decor. Our products include many eco-safe and eco-friendly options, exclusive designs and our very own line of sleepwear called Amadora.